Puerto Rico diocese loses sex abuse probe lawsuit

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A judge in Puerto Rico has ordered a diocese to provide state prosecutors with all confidential documents related to an ongoing sexual abuse probe.

The ruling issued Monday resolves a lawsuit that the Diocese of Arecibo recently filed against the island's justice secretary arguing that it should not have to release additional information to prosecutors. The diocese had said it sought to protect the identity of those who made the allegations and that it had already provided sufficient information.

The diocese has defrocked six priests accused of sex abuse, and prosecutors are investigating at least 11 other priests in the U.S. territory facing similar accusations. At least four dioceses are being investigated.